The Note

The next morning, Kenshin was the first one up. The sky was still dark and cluttered with stars. He didn't get much sleep. He knew that Shio was on his way. He could feel it in his bones. He looked down at Kaoru. Ever since he and Kiriko were back, she'd been sleeping like a baby. He kissed her lightly on the forehead then got up to take his bath. Afterwards, he came back to the house and checked on the boys. They were knocked out cold. Then he quietly slid Kiriko's door open. What he saw alarmed him greatly to see Kiriko tossing and turning. Her hair was all over the place and her yukata was soaked through with sweat. She kept moaning something that Kenshin couldn't quite make out. He was about to wake her but she started to settle down then her breathing became normal. He sighed then closed the door and headed outside to start his morning chores.

Meanwhile, Shio was walking right along the main road to the Kamiya dojo. The sun was just starting to peak above the horizon. Shio read each sign of the houses on the road. Finally he came to a large dojo with a brick wall all the way around it. The sign read 'Kamiya Kasshin Dojo' underneath that sign there was another, 'Himura Residence'. This is the place, he thought. He walked around towards the back of the dojo. The wall was pretty high but luckily there was a large tree nearby. Shio started to climb it. When he got amongst the branches he was glad there was a lot of foliage to keep him camouflaged. He looked through the leaves to get a better look at the property. The place was huge. The main house was towards the back while the dojo took up most of the front space from the entrance. Shio scanned the perimeter for anyone. He stopped when he saw movement coming from the far side of the house.

A small man with red hair came out with what appeared to be a laundry basket. He started to take down the clothes. For a split second Shio thought he was Kiriko but the hair was what made him blink twice. Kiriko's hair was darker, much longer and silkier. The man, which he figured must be the Battousai or Kenshin Himura, had bright fire red hair with a low ponytail that was kind of wild. Shio watched him closely. From what he could see this man could not be the legend he had heard so much about. Yet, all the physical descriptions that Ms Tsumide gave him were all there. He was a small man with red hair. I can't see his face- his thought cut short when the man turn left to put another article of clothing in the basket. The large cross-shaped scar was completely visible in the sunlight. It's him!

Kenshin knew Shio was in the tree ever since he came from around the back of the house but he chose to ignore him. He wanted to see if Shio would attack him right at that moment. So far, he was just watching from the tree. Kenshin folded one of Kano's gis and went to lay in the basket when a small dagger with note attached hit the basket right next to his hand. Then he felt Shio's presence disappear.

Kenshin didn't pick up the dagger right away. He just stared at it. He expected Shio to try to take the opportunity to kill him right there. He would have dodged the attack of course but Shio wasn't aiming for his head or back. Maybe he missed, Kenshin thought but then he realized that the dagger was thrown there on purpose. Hm……interesting, Kenshin picked it up.

"He just wanted to get my attention." Kenshin said out loud. Finally he opened the note.

Battousai,

I have come to challenge you. Meet me in the Nataki forest tomorrow morning. This gives you time to say goodbye to your family. If you fail to show then I will be the last face they see before they die.

From,

The son of a leader that you murdered

Kenshin read the note over again. His eyes flickered slightly at the thought that Shio might do something to his family and Kenshin didn't take any threats lightly. However, the note also shocked him. He had expected Shio to challenge him today but, even though the note insinuated a threat to his family, Shio was giving him time to be with them. Shio wanted him to be able to say goodbye because he obviously intended on killing him. The fact the he had missed him purposely with the dagger and the fact that he was give him time to say his goodbyes was making Kenshin see that maybe Kiriko was right.

"He's never killed anyone before," Kenshin marvelled then he quickly tucked the note into his gi.

Kiriko woke up with a start just as Shio left the tree. Her senses kept telling her that he was in the area. She quickly got up to change then headed out side just as Kenshin was putting the last of the clothes in the basket.

"Good morning, Miss Kiriko. You're up early." Kenshin smiled brightly.

She looked around wildly. "He was here, wasn't he?"

Kenshin smile slowly fell. He nodded then handed her the note. He watched her expression closely while she read the note. He was surprised to see that her face lacked any emotion. After she read it, she folded it up and squeezed it tightly.

"Have you thought of something to say to him?"

Kiriko sighed, "No." She sat down on the step and put her head in her hands. "I don't know what I'm going to say. I don't know what I'm going to do."

Kenshin sat beside. "Don't worry. It will come to you that it will and remember that you won't have to do this alone. I'll be with you. Physically and mentally. You'll find the right words to say when that time comes."

A small smile started to form on her lips. "Thank you for the encouraging words daddy." She got up and dusted off her hakama. "I'm going to go see Saganno for a little while. I should be back by lunch time."

"So late?" Kenshin got up to walk her to the front gate.

"Yes, we have some catching up to do. Save me some lunch, okay?" She called out as she was running across the street.

Kiriko peeked into Saganno's window. He was still asleep. Even thought she really didn't want to wake him, she just had to. She needed his help about the whole Shio thing.

She knocked at his window. He stirred a little but didn't get up. Kiriko opened the window easily.

"Saganno." She called out in a loud whisper.

"…Saganno, I've missed you so much." Kiriko whispered in to his ear. Saganno flushed and turned to face her. She was lying next beside him stroking his hair gently. Her hypnotic eyes stared into his lovingly.

"Did you miss me?" She whispered as her full lips almost touched his own. Her warm moist breath was sending shivers up his spine. He tried to answer but the lump in his throat would not permit.

"Did you miss me?" She asked again while she slipped her arm around his waist pulling him in closer to her body. He was finally able to swallow allowing the huge lump to drop back down into his butterfly infested stomach.

"Yes," he croaked out then swallowing again, "more than you'll ever know."

She smiled mischievously, "Show me."

He frowned slightly, "What?"

"Show me how much you missed me." She slid her hand up his back hugging him tighter.

Kiriko couldn't get him to wake up from were she was standing. So she hoisted herself up and climbed into his room. She walked over to where he was and knelt down beside him. He was mumbling something and his face was severely flushed. For a moment she thought that he was sick but then he started to hug his blanket tightly. Kiriko realised he was dreaming. She giggled a little and decided to watch him for a moment.

She giggled a little.

"W-what's so funny?"

"Nothing……… are you going to show me or am I going to have to show you how much I missed you."

Saganno had to swallow again. His throat was completely dry. "What are you going to show me?" He asked as if he didn't already know.

"This…" Kiriko slowly took his lips into her own. Saganno's body stiffened a little but he soon relaxed and kissed her with all the passion that had built up inside him when she left.

Kiriko had to hold her breath so that she wouldn't laugh at Saganno making out with the blanket. She couldn't hold her breath any longer so she ran back to the window. Jumped back outside and burst out laughing.

Saganno held her tighter. Her smooth skin and curvy body felt so wonderful in his hands. He gently rolled her on top of him. They kissed for a few more seconds then she abruptly pulled away.

"Saganno…"

"Yes…" he said dreamily. His mind still spinning from their kiss.

"Saganno…wake up"

He frowned, "Huh?" Kiriko flicked him hard on the ear. "OUCH!"

"Saganno!……….Wake-"

"….UP!" Kiriko flicked him again. His eyes finally opened after the second flick.

"Huh! Wha-" Saganno sat up. His head was spinning like crazy. He looked over and saw Kiriko laughing hysterically on the floor. Finally he realized it was just a dream. Saganno looked down at his lap and quickly pulled the blanket up around his neck. He hoped Kiriko didn't see that.

"Kiriko, how did you get in here!" He asked kind of angrily. Kiriko heard the anger in his voice and started to calm down.

"The way I always come in…" She pointed at the window. She was still giggling.

Saganno face looked like it was about to explode. "What are you laughing about!" He prayed that it wasn't what he was trying to conceal under his blanket

"You…" She started to laugh harder, "you were making out with…….with the blanket." She burst out laughing again.

Saganno sighed with relief and blushed a little. He scratched the back of his head, "Uh…yeah…ha ha…um what did you want?"

Kiriko simmered down again, "I need to talk to you. Can you meet me by my secret spot in a few minutes?"

"Um…sure."

She smiled at him, "Great!" She got up and walked over to the window then turned around with a grin. "And I won't tell anyone about you little make out session." Then climbed back outside.

Saganno grinned and blushed again.

After Shio left the Himura residence, he went to Nataki forest. The forest was a perfect location for them to have their duel. It was miles away from anyone. It was also beautiful but deadly. He had heard stories about the forest. Many battles had taking place there during the history of wars in Japan. The place still had booby traps and hidden surprises all over it. He figured it would be a fitting place for the Battousai to die. He decided he would spend the rest of the day practicing and checking out the forest for himself. He didn't want to get trapped in his own fighting location.

As he roamed the forest, he kept thinking about his time near the Himura residence. He kept having a strong feeling that Kiriko was in the area. It was almost eerie but he knew that was impossible. She was gone for good. Out of his life and he wished that she was out of his mind and heart as well. That way he could concentrate more on his up coming duel. He was disappointed to find that there were no booby traps in the part of the forest he was at. Oh well…I rather him die by my hands then trip in some trap, he thought. Since he didn't get any sleep the night before he decided to make himself comfortable in a large oak tree. Maybe…just maybe I can find her after all this is over and done with……damn, he slapped his forehead, I didn't even know her full name. Shio looked at the beautiful forest around him. The day was cool and sunny. He spotted a small flower growing on one of the branches in the tree. It was unusual because the particular tree he was in didn't grow flowers. Shio picked it. It was the same bright color of Kiriko's eyes. He smelled it. It doesn't matter, his eyes slowly started to close, I don't care if it takes forever……I just want to hold her in my arms again… and slowly drifted to sleep.